Sefer HaYashar, Copy that Belonged to Rabbi Naftali Sofer, Av Beit Din of Neudorf

Sefer HaYashar, Copy that Belonged to Rabbi Naftali Sofer, Av Beit Din of Neudorf

Sefer HaYashar by Rabbeinu Tam, mussar. Zolkiew, 1809. The title page bears [2] owner's inscriptions handwritten by the gaon Rabbi Naftali "HaTzaddik" Sofer, Av Beit Din of Petcheneydorf and one of the most beloved disciples of the Chatam Sofer, who also wrote a reference letter full of praises for him.

Before us is one of the early mussar books from which the one and only Naftali Sofer of the rabbinic leaders and tzaddikim of Hungary studied. He was one of the four famous brothers of the Sofer family (no family relation to the Chatam Sofer). His was the second-most important family in Hungary after the Chatam Sofer's family. Due to Rabbi Naftali's great righteousness, he was known as "Rabbi Naftali HaTzaddik."

The gaon Rabbi Naftali Sofer [1819-1899] was born in Pressburg to his father Rabbi Mordechai Ephraim Fischel Sofer and the Chatam Sofer served as sandek at his ritual circumcision, and even noted this in his ledger: "Sunday, 5 Shevat, ritual circumcision of the child Naftali son of the Torani R' Fischel Sofer." Rabbi Naftali was one of the Chatam Sofer's beloved close disciples, who demonstrated his affection in many ways, such as by writing a reference letter full of praise. The encyclopedia HeChatam Sofer V'Talmidav (p. 383) relates that once during a chumash lesson, one of the students asked a question and the Chatam Sofer did not know how to answer him. Rabbi Naftali, despite being one of the younger students, provided a satisfactory answer to that student. The Chatam Sofer immediately announced in front of all the students: "True, this is the case, and I will write this response in my ledger in your name." After the Chatam Sofer's passing, when Rabbi Naftali was only 18 years old, he continued studying under the Ktav Sofer. He served as Av Beit Din of Koddleburg beginning in 1856 and then in Petcheneydorf from 1873. He authored the books Mateh Naftali, Sha'ar Naftali, Bnei Naftali and others. There are several responsa to him in Shu"t Ktav Sofer (Yoreh Deah siman 158; Choshen Mishpat siman 22).

48 leaves, 18 cm.

Fine condition: Minimal aging stains. Not bound.